eL Vote for FAI merger

[soccerc]

Just heard that the merger was agreed upon and will be ratified at an egm in september

[pineapple stu]

Turkeys just voted for Christmas...

Do you know what the final ballot was?

[soccerc]

The eircom League clubs have voted this evening to merge with the FAI and accept fundamental changes to the League’s structural, competition and governance areas. Subject to ratification at an FAI EGM in September, the new 4 tier eircom League will now be run by the FAI from the 2007 season onwards.
The League clubs voted to overhaul all aspects of its operations following a consultative and communications programme over recent weeks led by the FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney and the Chairman of the eircom League Paddy McCaul.

The key changes agreed by the clubs tonight include:
* Merging the eircom League with the FAI from 2007
* 4 tier League structure with Premiership, 1st Division, new “A” Championship and under 20 league from 2008
* Increases in prize fund investment to €803,000, from a current level of €450,000
* Winner’s prizemoney to rise to €225,000 for Premiership winners; with €50,000 for 1st division winners
* Premiership to be reduced from 12 to 10 teams from 2009
* Significant governance changes with new eircom League to be managed by 6 person committee including 2 outside specialists
* The introduction of community related Club Promotions Officers for Premiership clubs
* The introduction of mandatory participation agreements

Eligibility for the Premiership and 1st divisions for the 2007 season will be determined by an Independent Assessment Group appointed to use set criteria to rank clubs for the 2007 season only.

Chaired by Des Casey, UEFA Life Member and including former Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald, former Irish International Niall Quinn and former Chairman of the Irish Sports Council Pat O’Neill, this committee will meet in for the first time in July.
Commenting on the clubs’ acceptance, FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney said he was delighted. “I strongly believe tonight’s vote will bring the League to a whole new level, not overnight, but within 3 years we should have a fundamentally changed and improved senior domestic League”, he said. Delaney said the clubs had been enthusiastic about the prospect of change “there is a sense of something unique happening and that we might just get one shot at this, so I’m delighted with the clubs’ positive response to change”, he said. “I feel a quite sense of optimism that the eircom League can improve significantly as a proposition in the years to come, he added”.

“We have the biggest sport in the country in terms of participation and we now have the prospect of a real pathway from schoolboys and under-age to the new National senior leagues which in a revamped model will represent a real pinnacle for the game at home”, Delaney said.

Chairman of the eircom League Paddy McCaul congratulated the clubs for embracing the level of change so fully. “The clubs deserve great credit for taking this decision this evening”, he said. “Change is never easy but the proposals put forward brought a feeling of confidence and optimism to the table”, he added. “Clubs want to aspire to greater success and want to be part of that success”, McCaul said. “I think clubs have seen a really good vision of where the game can go and have put their confidence in what they saw as the future for the domestic game”, he said. It’s a really great day for National League football”, McCaul said.

[OneRedArmy]

Turkeys just voted for Christmas...

The reverse I would argue.

To use your analogy the current set-up is only postponing Christmas.

[pineapple stu]

Curious here, incidentally.

What good do those in favour of the new format see in them?

There are some highly choice wordings in Gobsh!te Delaney's release above. The prize money is increasing - but only six clubs of 22 will actually get any benefit once the increase in league membership fees is taken into account. The clubs themselves voted out the 10-team league - and most fans here seem to agree - but now it's back in. It certainly didn't seem to bring any tangible benefits last time around. The FAI have shown themselves to be utterly incompetent - or apathetic, not sure which - in their working of the league in recent years. Can't appoint managers, can't work UEFA Licencing, the website's a disgrace still after two revamps, the head of the FAI is a season ticket holder with Manchester United and was responsible for Waterford United's financial woes in the late 90s - which probably still affect them now. Their criteria for hand-picking teams for the Premier are a joke - you're looking at favouring teams who achieved (and continue to achieve) higher league placing due to reckless trading, you're looking at no consideration to financial issues, even though this was mentioned in the first draft and would be a very important consideration in my opinion (clubs who are functionally bankrupt aren't the ones to bring the league forward), you're looking at intangible issues such as potential which are open to abuse by an association which continues to have rumours of favouritism to some clubs circulated against it.

There's an awful lot of waffle being spoken about

is a sense of something unique happening and that we might just get one shot at this

and

I think clubs have seen a really good vision of where the game can go and have put their confidence in what they saw as the future for the domestic game

and the likes, yet there's absolutely no tangible plans in place as to how the merger is to improve the league. Nothing. This is all just going to happen, it seems.

To refer, OneRedArmy, to your comment - you can say that the current format is death, but why is this one so much better? If we're getting record results in Europe, improved facilities in the works all over the shop and other beneficial changes, why do we need this radical change? What's it going to bring? And I mean tangibly - not spoofy comments like those quoted above.

Still, roll on the court case.

[soccerc]

The FAI have shown themselves to be utterly incompetent - the website's a disgrace still after two revamps,

Could be slanderous there, however, the first revamp encountered huge internal resistance and less than 10% of it's functionality was ever implemented.

Still, roll on the court case.

What court case? The EL is a private members club, the membership of which democratically voted to merge with another private members club, the FAI.

Once the merger is completed then no one can grind any axe should the new private members club change the rules.

[OneRedArmy]

Stu, what changed between

I genuinely don't know if there's going to be a legal challenge or not.

and

Still, roll on the court case.

other than the vote passing?

[Red4Eva]

Turkeys just voted for Christmas...

sez you. the propaganda begins again. even though my club could possily get screwed worst of all, i'm delighted that the merger has been agreed.

"In terms of voting it has been reported that one club voted against the proposal, two abstained and two didn't show up." from www.irishfootballonline.com

any1 know yet how their club voted?

[Battery Rover]

Agree with Red4Eva even though we havent a chance of getting out the First Division this year whatever happens

[pineapple stu]

Stu, what changed between
"I genuinely don't know if there's going to be a legal challenge or not."

and

"Still, roll on the court case."

other than the vote passing?

Probably getting ahead of myself, to be honest. Still, other clubs have mentioned legal action already - Limerick for one - so it seems fairly certain there will be some. I don't know if we'll take legal action (obviously, assuming we get arbitrarily relegated), but I would imagine we would. That's the difference, I suppose.

What court case? The EL is a private members club, the membership of which democratically voted to merge with another private members club, the FAI.

Once the merger is completed then no one can grind any axe should the new private members club change the rules.

We'll see.

i'm delighted that the merger has been agreed.

Agree with Red4Eva

Neither of yez answered the important question - why?

two didn't show up

[Buile Shuibhne]

"In terms of voting it has been reported that one club voted against the proposal, two abstained and two didn't show up." from www.irishfootballonline.com

any1 know yet how their club voted?

Shels flew out to Denmark at 7.00pm this evening - don't know for sure, but it's possible that we had no one at the meeting - but Ollie probably orchestated the entire meeting and vote, from his airplane seat

[pineapple stu]

Surely you could have appointed any proxy?

[soccerc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by soccerc
What court case? The EL is a private members club, the membership of which democratically voted to merge with another private members club, the FAI.

Once the merger is completed then no one can grind any axe should the new private members club change the rules.

We'll see.

What part of my original post don't you understand? "We'll see" as an answer/retort indicates you don't underatnd it at all.

Don't go down as you did elsewhere the ultra vires route as it is not applicable in this instance - (that is from a SC BTW who explained to me in great detail the legal aspects of any potential merger and how "private members clubs" are just that private - it doesn't matter if they are incorporated or not. The memorandum and articles of association, if they are, would if they comply with them would allow this merger and if not incorporated, once they complied with their constitution or rules and within civil law then all is ok.

Yes, I do know who voted for, against and who abstained

[monkey magic]

Yes, I do know who voted for, against and who abstained

well, spill it out! its not like it matters now the decision has been made.

i think overall, even though my club may well get screwed that this change in format might just finally resurge the league and make it more acceptible to fans and young players alike. i like in particular the idea trying create tangible links with underage football, junior leagues and the like... for me thats one of the most fundamental flaws with the current format. what exactly is this "A" championship gonna be??

[Terry]

Yes, I do know who voted for, against and who abstained

who? it will more than likely be in the morning papers anyway?

[Conor H]

Care to elaborate on those who voted and how?
Is it confidential?

My guess would be CHF and UCD ddin't show up.

[monkey magic]

My guess would be CHF and UCD ddin't show up.

that would be ironic- the two clubs whose "fans" never show up not being able to spare a man to attend the most important meeting of their recent histories!

[OneRedArmy]

Surely you could have appointed any proxy?

Thats what would be done in any normal club. But in the Shels autocracy Ollie obviously trusts no one.

[monkey magic]

breakingnews.ie - 29/06/2006 - 21:07:52

Eircom League clubs meeting tonight have voted to join the new FAI National League, starting next season.

The decision will see promotion and relegation ended for this season with all clubs forced to apply for membership of the new FAI League. The FAI will then put clubs in the ‘Premiership’ and First Division, based on both on and off the field criteria.

Dublin City were the only club to vote against the proposal. There was one abstention and another two clubs did not attend the meeting.





that settles it then ala who voted against...

[Buller]

Dublin City were the only club to vote against the proposal. There was one abstention and another two clubs did not attend the meeting.

Suprise Suprise!
And wonder which clubs didnt attend, hmmm....